Rathgar Beau has little to fear

Limerick's Christmas fixture winds up tomorrow and while there's little chance of a repeat of Thursday's 12,000-strong crowd, …

Limerick's Christmas fixture winds up tomorrow and while there's little chance of a repeat of Thursday's 12,000-strong crowd, Rathgar Beau can send those who do turn up home happy.

The former smart hurdler goes in the Beginners Chase and on his best flights form he would have little to fear. Also in his credit is a half-length second to Jurado Express at Cork.

Steel Band brings a 91 rating to the opening four-year-old maiden hurdle and should be the one to lead them home. A sixth of 25 to the smart Kicking King at Naas was not a bad run at all. JP McManus tasted big race success with Mini Sensation in yesterday's Welsh National at Chepstow and could also hit the top spot at his local track too.

Take The Free was nearly 100 lengths behind St Stephen's Day-winner Intelligent at Down Royal but the three-mile Beginners Chase doesn't look a hard race.

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Gerry Strange ploughed through the mud at Navan a couple of weeks ago to be seventh to Tandys Bridge and the experience should stand him in good stead in the last.

Risetotheoccasion faces a tough task in the gruelling three-mile handicap hurdle but does bring a six-length second to Sully Shuffles at Navan to the party. One better looks a realistic target.

Moss Bawn found himself with a very hard task against Woodys Deep Ocean in his last start but is preferred to the Down Royal-winner Logical Approach in the conditions hurdle.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column